Program of Study (CAS Bulletin)

English (2022 - 2024)

Advisement and General Information

Students interested in declaring the major in English should visit the department or contact either the director of undergraduate studies or the undergraduate administrator, Ms. Mary Mezzano (mary.mezzano@nyu.edu). 

To declare the major, students should access the declaration form at the departmental website.

Major in English and American Literature

A minimum of ten 4-point courses (40 points), completed with a grade of C or better and distributed as follows:

  • Introduction to the Study of Literature (ENGL-UA 101)
  • Three of the following four courses:
    • Literatures in English I: Medieval and Early Modern Literatures (ENGL-UA 111)
    • Literatures in English II: Literatures of the British Isles and British Empire 1660-1900 (ENGL-UA 112)
    • Literatures in English III: American Literatures to 1900 (ENGL-UA 113)
    • Literatures in English IV: Twentieth and Twenty-first Century Literatures (ENGL-UA 114)
  • One course in critical theories and methods. The following courses are typically used to fulfill this requirement: ENGL-UA 712, ENGL-UA 735.
  • One course in British literature before 1800. The following courses are typically used to fulfill this requirement: ENGL-UA 143, ENGL-UA 310, ENGL-UA 320, ENGL-UA 410, ENGL-UA 445, ENGL-UA 450, ENGL-UA 512.
  • One senior seminar. Students must complete the first four courses above (ENGL-UA 101, and three chosen from ENGL-UA 111-114) to be eligible to enroll in seminars. The following courses are used to fulfill this requirement: ENGL-UA 950-955; 960-965; and 970-976.
  • Three additional ENGL-UA courses drawn from any combination of intermediate courses, advanced courses, or seminars.

Major in English and American Literature, Track with a Specialization in Creative Writing

A minimum of eleven 4-point courses and two 2-point courses (48 points), completed with a grade of C or better and distributed as follows:

  • Introduction to the Study of Literature (ENGL-UA 101)
  • Three of the following four courses:
    • Literatures in English I: Medieval and Early Modern Literatures (ENGL-UA 111)
    • Literatures in English II: Literatures of the British Isles and British Empire 1660-1900 (ENGL-UA 112)
    • Literatures in English III: American Literatures to 1900 (ENGL-UA 113)
    • Literatures in English IV: Twentieth and Twenty-first Century Literatures (ENGL-UA 114)
  • Reading as a Writer (ENGL-UA 201)
  • Either one course in critical theories and methods (typically chosen from ENGL-UA 712, ENGL-UA 735), or one course in British literature before 1800 (typically chosen from ENGL-UA 143, ENGL-UA 310, ENGL-UA 320, ENGL-UA 410, ENGL-UA 445, ENGL-UA 450, ENGL-UA 512).
  • One senior seminar. Students must complete the first five courses listed above (ENGL-UA 101, three chosen from ENGL-UA 111-114, and ENGL-UA 201) to be eligible to enroll in seminars. The following courses are used to fulfill this requirement: ENGL-UA 950-955; 960-965; and 970-976.
  • Two additional ENGL-UA courses, drawn from any combination of intermediate courses, advanced courses, or seminars.
  • A creative capstone project with a Department of English faculty member (a creative writing project in poetry, prose, or a hybrid genre). Students enroll in both ENGL-UA 910 and 911 (2 points each).
  • Two courses in Creative Writing. Creative Writing: Introduction to Fiction and Poetry (CRWRI-UA 815) is required, followed by one intermediate CRWRI-UA course.

Minor in English and American Literature

This is a five-course (20-point) minor. The requirements, all to be completed with a grade of C or better, are:

  • Introduction to the Study of Literature (ENGL-UA 101)
  • One of the following four courses:
    • Literatures in English I: Medieval and Early Modern Literatures (ENGL-UA 111)
    • Literatures in English II: Literatures of the British Isles and British Empire 1660-1900 (ENGL-UA 112)
    • Literatures in English III: American Literatures to 1900 (ENGL-UA 113)
    • Literatures in English IV: Twentieth and Twenty-first Century Literatures (ENGL-UA 114)
  • Plus any three additional ENGL-UA courses.

Policies Applying to the Major and Minor

Courses used to satisfy requirements for the English major or minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements of any other major or minor. The only exception is for students in the creative writing major track who also have a minor in creative writing (they may double-count two courses between the major and minor). Independent study courses and internships do not count toward any of the department's major or minor programs. Transfer students must complete at least half of the required courses for the major and minor programs at the College. All courses for the major must be completed with a C or better (Pass/Fail does not count).

ENGL-UA 101 is a prerequisite for ENGL-UA 111, 112, 113, and 114, but may be taken as a corequisite with permission of the department and/or instructor.

Honors Program

The requirements for graduating with honors in the major in English consist of:

  • A 3.65 GPA, both overall and in the major.
  • A senior capstone seminar chosen from ENGL-UA 950-955, ENGL-UA 960-965, and ENGL-UA 970-976, which serves as a prerequisite to both the Honors Thesis and Colloquium).
  • Enrollment for two consecutive terms in Seniors Honors Thesis (ENGL-UA 925) and completion of a thesis (on a topic of the student's choice) under the direction of departmental faculty.
  • Concurrently with ENGL-UA 925: enrollment for two consecutive terms in the Senior Honors Colloquium for thesis writers (ENGL-UA 926).

December graduates begin the concurrent ENGL-UA 925 and 926 sequences in the spring term and complete them in the fall; May graduates begin the sequences in the fall and complete them in the spring. Applications and deadlines are available on the department's undergraduate website and at the department offices.

Study Away

The Department of English encourages its majors to take advantage of NYU's many opportunities for study away. NYU London offers courses that may be used to fulfill major requirements, as well as courses in British politics, creative writing, and the history of British art and architecture. A list of both ENGL-UA and non-ENGL-UA courses offered by the various NYU study away programs that may be counted toward specific requirements for the major can be found on the department's website each term. English majors should consult a departmental adviser before making plans to study away.